A new generation of young people has reorganized to serve the Fort Scott community through an organization called Young Professional League.
Eighteen years ago, the group was started, and with the COVID Pandemic, YPL membership dwindled.
Late last year, a different group picked up the ideals to serve the community.
They have a mission and motivation to serve.
“The mission of the Young Professionals League is to be adaptive advocates of a better community through progressive partnerships and networking,” according to its new president, Arlo Simon.
“The motivation to restart The Young Professionals League came from a drive to serve the community and provide support, in various ways,” Simon said.
“Our vision is to be a catalyst for a better community,” she said.
“We have meetings on the first Friday of every month in the Celebration Room inside Papa Don’s Pizza (10 N.Main), at noon. We also have a social hour at various local restaurants once a month. Our next one will be Tuesday, March 24 at La Hacienda Restaurant, 6:00 p.m.”
Submitted photo of a recent YPL meeting.
“Our target audience to join YPL would be anyone interested in being a part of like-minded people who have an interest in bettering the community,” Simon said. “The age range for joining: 17-year-old high school seniors (who may have an interest in business) as well as up to 45-year-old individuals.”
The current leadership team is Simon as president, Hunter Witt as vice president, Taylor Bailey as secretary, Stevia Ratcliff as treasurer, Tabitha Castleberry as communications and Henry Witt as events.
Submitted photos of a recent Young Professional League meeting at The Kitchen Collaborative.
History of YPL In Fort Scott
Eighteen years ago the group was founded by Jamie Armstrong, Gary Palmer, along with Kenny and Megan Felt, to name just a few.
“YPL was launched by a small group of young professionals in the fall of 2008,” said Jamie Armstrong. We hosted a large group of local young professionals, and Kendall Gammon, former long-snapper for the K.C. Chiefs, was our speaker.”
“It was a moment to capture a common sense of community and connection, and it served as a great catalyst to our launch. We started off focused on economic development, community service, civic engagement and social connections.”
“Over the next seventeen years, we served many community roles, and we grew. Until we didn’t,” Armstrong said.
” Many of us shifted out of leadership roles in YPL and into other community and civic responsibility and our purpose changed. Post COVID Pandemic, the membership has dwindled, and we disbanded. I am thrilled to see young professionals like Henry and Hunter Witt and others coming back to the table to once again talk about the future of this amazing community we live in.”
